Mode Scrambler With Sinusoidal Compression Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mode scramblers for optical fibers cause damage due to direct metal compression, leading to uncontrollable beam quality as the rubber sleeve's larger inner diameter provides no radial displacement constraint, resulting in inconsistent laser beam emission.
Innovation Solution
A mode scrambler design that includes a fastening connection component with an L-shaped groove and sinusoidal surfaces, along with reciprocating translation plates to compress both the optical fiber and rubber sleeve in perpendicular directions, ensuring controlled deformation and consistent beam quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber sleeve is used to protect the optical fiber during compression, then the fiber is protected from damage, but the fiber has no displacement constraint in the radial direction making beam quality uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rubber sleeve as a flexible protective shell that encloses the optical fiber. The rubber sleeve provides protection while allowing controlled deformation through its elastic properties, resolving the contradiction between fiber protection and beam quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compression in a perpendicular direction (vertical direction) in addition to the radial compression. This multi-dimensional compression approach allows control over fiber deformation that was not achievable with single-direction compression alone, thereby controlling beam quality while maintaining fiber protection.
2Force
If conventional metal compression is applied directly to the fiber, then compression force is sufficient, but the fiber suffers damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rubber sleeve as an intermediary element between the metal compression structure and the optical fiber. This intermediary provides both protection from direct metal contact and transmits the necessary compression force, resolving the contradiction between sufficient compression and fiber damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the compression interface from metal-direct-contact to metal-rubber-fiber contact. The rubber material properties (elasticity, compliance) are selected to provide adequate compression force while preventing damage, thus resolving the force-damage contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If the inner diameter of the rubber sleeve is made larger than the outer diameter of the fiber for easy insertion, then insertion is easier, but the fiber has no displacement constraint in the radial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic two-stage compression process: first radial compression to protect the fiber, then vertical compression to control beam quality. This dynamic approach allows the system to transition from a state prioritizing fiber protection to one prioritizing beam quality control, resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and radial displacement control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds vertical direction compression as an additional degree of freedom to control fiber deformation. This multi-dimensional approach compensates for the lack of radial constraint by introducing control in the vertical dimension, thereby achieving beam quality control despite the loose radial fit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sinusoidal deformation of the optical fiber within the mode scrambler maintains consistent beam quality by controlling radial and vertical displacements, ensuring stable and controlled emission during mass production of lasers.
Implementation Method 1
The vertical surface of the L-shaped groove is a sinusoidal surface, and the sinusoidal surface is provided along a length direction of the optical fiber. A surface of the first translation plate contacting the optical fiber is a sinusoidal surface
Implementation Method 2
the first translation plate is configured to reciprocate relatively to the fastening connection component along a radial direction of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
the second translation plate is configured to reciprocate relatively to the fastening connection component in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 4
Since conventional metal compression directly on the fiber can cause damage, a rubber sleeve is needed at the point where the fiber is compressed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a mode scrambler. The mode scrambler includes a fastening connection component, a first translation plate and a second translation plate. The fastening connection component is provided with an L-shaped groove for placing an optical fiber. The first translation plate and the second translation plate are both connected to the fastening connection component, the first translation plate is configured to reciprocate relatively to the fastening connection component along a radial direction of the optical fiber, and the second translation plate is configured to reciprocate relatively to the fastening connection component in a vertical direction. The second translation plate is abutted against a top of the optical fiber and is in close contact with a part of the sinusoidal surface of the first translation plate. The optical fiber is enclosed among the fastening connection component, the first translation plate and the second translation plate.